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Sport sports betting market wants to secure itself
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16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson

Business press reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is huge organization.

Sport England estimates the worth of costs on sport-related sports betting in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.

Which figure is most likely to have actually grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.

Meanwhile, German research company Sport & Markt approximates the total worldwide gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting.

But when the integrity of occasions are hit the sports betting market suffers, and earnings are put under danger if customers can not bet with confidence.

And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport sports betting stories than those affecting cricket and snooker this year.

High-profile

As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone discuss the sports betting market now.

"Not only is it a substantial market in world organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."

Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by cops over spot-fixing accusations relating to a test against England at Lord's last month.

Three of these players have said they will also challenge the corruption charges mounted against the trio by the sport governing body the International Cricket Council.

Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing allegations, however was prohibited last week for six months for failing to report the illegal approach to him to toss frames.

There are also two other continuing investigations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's most significant online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is viewed as honest, straight and fair that benefits wagering firms because people will invest money wagering with self-confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK controlled wagering industry ... it is not actually a positive story for sports betting in the UK.

"That is since the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might need to take care about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

According to professionals at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting gambling, the focus needs to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "The only individuals who can fix a match are the rivals or the referee."

His organisation represents men and ladies in 15 sports betting in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

He believes that it is inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the method to tackle potential problems around gamers is also through education.

Mr Taylor says rules require to be explained clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.

"Through educating gamers about sports betting you enhance integrity and that remains in everyone's interest," he adds.

"If players are harder to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal suggestions at the Football Association, agrees.

"Prevention is much better than treatment, and we also make a point of telling players 'you are going to be caught'."

"It is imperative that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he includes.

"If it loses that then people don't desire to wager, that is not in sports betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He said that once a good credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA rules imply gamers are not allowed to bet on a competitors in which they are included.

Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he states might trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.

So, even a Second Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.

"We have to get over to gamers the reputational danger to the video game," he says. "Once self-confidence has been damaged it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'
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If this represents the "carrot" approach, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, the "stick".

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate commercial gambling in Great Britain.

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has duty for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.

"The frustrating majority of sports betting wagering occurring through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the outcome of a sporting occasion.

"Such unfaithful has the possible to undermine the stability of a sport, and it likewise harms the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."

The commission has actually established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute information to sporting authorities, sports betting companies and policing authorities.

"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he says.

"We will inform sports betting of our concerns, to help avoid or curtail [illegal] activity"

In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a confidential telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year period there has been just one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 ongoing investigations, which much helpful information has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.

He stated that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost efficient, then the commission would think about terminating a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he states a number of those seeking to cheat the sports betting market were well-informed about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.

"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their enterprises."

Related internet links

World sports betting Law Report

ICC

Professional Players Federation

Professional Footballers' Association

The FA

Betfair

Sport & Markt

BLP

Gambling Commission
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